Using Large-Scale Linkage Data to Evaluate the Effectiveness of a National Educational Program on Antithrombotic Prescribing and Associated Stroke Prevention in Primary Care.

BACKGROUND: The National Prescribing Service (NPS) MedicineWise Stroke Prevention Program, which was implemented nationally in 2009-2010 in Australia, sought to improve antithrombotic prescribing in stroke prevention using dedicated interventions that target general practitioners. This study evaluated the impact of the NPS MedicineWise Stroke Prevention Program on antithrombotic prescribing and primary stroke hospitalizations. METHOD AND RESULTS: This population-based time series study used administrative health data linked to 45 and Up Study participants with a high risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) to assess the possible impact of the NPS MedicineWise program on first-time aspirin prescriptions and primary stroke-related hospitalizations. Time series analysis showed that the NPS MedicineWise program was significantly associated with increased first-time prescribing of aspirin (P=0.03) and decreased hospitalizations for primary ischemic stroke (P=0.03) in the at-risk study population (n=90 023). First-time aspirin prescription was correlated with a reduction in the rate of hospitalization for primary stroke (P=0.02). Following intervention, the number of first-time aspirin prescriptions increased by 19.8% (95% confidence interval, 1.6-38.0), while the number of first-time stroke hospitalizations decreased by 17.3% (95% confidence interval, 1.8-30.0). CONCLUSIONS: Consistent with NPS MedicineWise program messages for the high-risk CVD population, the NPS MedicineWise Stroke Prevention Program (2009) was associated with increased initiation of aspirin and a reduced rate of hospitalization for primary stroke. The findings suggest that the provision of evidence-based multifaceted large-scale educational programs in primary care can be effective in changing prescriber behavior and positively impacting patient health outcomes.

How do GPs want to learn in the digital era?

BACKGROUND: Various continuing medical education (CME) options are available for general practitioners (GPs). These options differ in their clinical effectiveness and GPs' preferences for learning format. We report on a national survey, conducted by NPS MedicineWise, identifying Australian GPs' preferences for CME. METHODS: A stratified random sample of 2500 GPs in Australia participated in the survey in 2012. Reponses to the questions on GPs' preferences for CME activities and motivation for choice were analysed. RESULTS: Most GPs (95%) preferred learning in a group rather than on their own. Specifically, 83% preferred face-to-face lecture-based formats; 70% preferred interactive group discussions; 66% preferred one-to-one learning with an expert; and 55% preferred online self-education. Relevance to clinical practice was the key motivation for participation (80%). DISCUSSION: Although GPs are increasingly using online learning, conventional face-to-face activities with peers and experts remain popular. Lecture-based CME continues to be preferred, despite evidence suggesting other modalities may be more effective. CME activities delivered through a combination of methods are likely to appeal to the wide range of GP preferences while optimising clinical outcomes.

Effectiveness of a national approach to prescribing education for multiple disciplines.

AIMS: To evaluate the effectiveness of a national approach to prescribing education on health professional students' prescribing and therapeutics knowledge, across multiple disciplines. METHODS: In a university examination setting, 83 medical, 40 pharmacy and 13 nurse practitioner students from three different universities completed a set of multiple choice questions (MCQs) before and after completing an online module from the National Prescribing Curriculum (NPC). To minimize overestimation of knowledge, students had to indicate the level of certainty for each answer on a three-point scale. MCQs were scored using a validated certainty-based marking scheme resulting in a composite score (maximum 30 and minimum -60). Students were asked to rate their perception of usefulness of the module. RESULTS: At the pre-module phase, there were no significant differences in the composite MCQ scores between the medical (9.0 ± 10.3), pharmacy (10.2 ± 10.6) and nurse practitioner (8.0 ± 10.7) students. The scores improved significantly for all groups at the post-module phase (P < 0.01 for all groups) by similar extents (post-module results: medical, 14.5 ± 9.6; pharmacy, 14.4 ± 9.9; nurse practitioner, 12.1 ± 9.6). 39.4% of the MCQs answered incorrectly with high level of certainty at the pre-module phase were still answered incorrectly with high level of certainty at the post-module phase. Almost all students (with no significant difference between the groups) found the NPC modules, post-module MCQs and feedback useful as a learning tool. CONCLUSIONS: A national online approach to prescribing education can improve therapeutics knowledge of students from multiple disciplines of health care and contribute towards streamlining interdisciplinary learning in medication management.

Fixed dose combination diabetes medicines - usage in the Australian veteran population.

OBJECTIVE: To examine initiation and prescribing patterns of metformin-glibenclamide and metformin-rosiglitazone fixed dose combination products within the Australian veteran population. METHOD: A retrospective observational study using Department of Veterans' Affairs pharmacy claims data. We examined overall trends in the utilisation and proportion of patients who had been previously dispensed both, one, or none of the individual ingredient products before initiating combination products. RESULTS: Of metformin-glibenclamide initiations, 9% involved a switch from metformin and glibenclamide as separate products, while 22% had used neither metformin nor a sulfonylurea. Thirty percent of metformin-rosiglitazone initiations involved a switch from both individual products, while in 10% neither metformin nor thiazolidinedione had been dispensed. DISCUSSION: A minority of veterans started taking the combination products after being stabilised on the individual products; many had no prior history of oral hypoglycaemic use. This prescribing may lead to wastage if combination medications are poorly tolerated or, more importantly, may cause adverse events.

High-grade cervical abnormalities and screening intervals in New South Wales, Australia.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to determine the association of two versus three year screening intervals with the likelihood of detection of a high-grade cervical abnormality and cervical cancer. METHODS: Data were obtained from the New South Wales (NSW) Papanicolaou (Pap) Test Register (PTR) and NSW Central Cancer Registry (CCR). Subjects were human papillomavirus (HPV) unvaccinated women aged 20-69 years who had a minimum of two Pap tests with a negative result at their first recorded Pap test (n = 1,213,295). Logistic regression was used to determine the association between screening interval and the likelihood of: (1) a cytological prediction of high-grade abnormality, defined as cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2 or greater; (2) a histologically confirmed high-grade abnormality; (3) a cytological prediction of cervical cancer and (4) a confirmed diagnosis of cervical cancer, controlling for potential confounders of age and socioeconomic status (SES) of area of residence. RESULTS: For each year increase in the screening interval, the odds of a histologically confirmed high-grade abnormality increased significantly in women aged 20-29 years (odds ratio [OR] 1.24, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.20-1.28) and in women aged 30-49 years (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.06-1.16), but not in women aged 50-69 years (OR 1.08, 95% CI 0.89-1.32). Similar results were observed for cytologically detected high-grade abnormalities. The screening interval was significantly and positively associated with a cytological prediction of cervical cancer (OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.28-1.54) and a confirmed cervical cancer diagnosis (OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.33-2.07) in women aged 20-69 years. Despite the higher risks, we estimate that if the screening interval were increased from two to three years, and the number of women participating in treatment screening was the same as for biennial screening in NSW, then 140 (95% CI 60-220) fewer high-grade cytology results would occur per year, and there would be around 19 (95% CI -50- 89) fewer high-grade cases confirmed by histology. As the 95% CI covers zero in the latter estimate, there is no significant difference in expected confirmed high-grade abnormalities between biennial and triennial screening if the same number of women are screened triennally as biennially. [corrected] Equivalently, 2.3 (95% CI 1.8-2.8) and 1.9 (95% CI 1.5-2.4) extra cases of high-grade cytology and histology, respectively, would be expected per 1000 women with initially negative cytology if the screening interval were extended from two to three years. CONCLUSION: Increasing the cervical screening interval from two to three years would be expected to significantly increase the odds of detection of a high-grade abnormality for NSW women aged 20-49 years and cervical cancer for NSW women aged 20-69 years. Accordingly, our study provides evidence in support of retaining the recommended cervical screening interval at two years for HPV unvaccinated, well women.

A case-control study of the protective benefit of cervical screening against invasive cervical cancer in NSW women.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of different Pap screening patterns in preventing invasive cervical cancer among women in New South Wales, Australia. METHODS: A total of 877 women aged 20-69 years diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer during 2000-2003 were matched with 2,614 controls by month and year of birth. Screening behavior patterns in 4 years preceding the time of cancer diagnosis in the cases were classified into none (no Pap test in the 4 years), 'irregular' (1 of the 4 years with Pap test(s)), and 'regular' (2 or more of the 4 years with a Pap test), and compared with those in the matched non-cases over the same period. Conditional logistic regression modeling was used to estimate the relative risk, approximated by the odds ratio, of invasive cervical cancer for regular and irregular cervical screening compared with no screening in the previous 4 years, before and after controlling for potential confounders including the first recorded Pap test result in the preceding 6-year reference period. RESULTS: Compared with no screening, irregular Pap screening in the 4 years preceding the cancer diagnosis is estimated to reduce the risk of invasive cervical cancer by about 85% (RR = 0.15, 95% CI: 0.120-0.19); regular Pap screening reduces the risk by about 96% (RR = 0.04, 95% CI: 0.03-0.05). After adjusting for the index Pap test result, the relative risks for invasive cervical cancer were 0.19 (95% CI: 0.13-0.27) for irregular screening and 0.07 (95% CI: 0.04-0.10) for regular Pap screening. CONCLUSIONS: Regular and irregular Pap tests among women aged 20-69 years were highly effective in preventing invasive cancer. At-risk women with no Pap test history should be encouraged to undergo a Pap test every 2 years, but any Pap screening over a 4-year period remains highly protective against future invasive cervical cancer.

The frequency of common skin conditions in preschool-aged children in Australia: seborrheic dermatitis and pityriasis capitis (cradle cap).

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and severity of seborrheic dermatitis and pityriasis capitis in Australian preschool-aged children. DESIGN: A stratified cross-sectional skin survey using cluster sampling of centers throughout Victoria, Australia. SETTING: The study population included children attending child care centers, preschools, and Maternal and Child Health Centers, with the reference population being Australian children 5 years and younger. PARTICIPANTS: Of the 1,634 children in the original sample, 1.116 children aged 11 days to 5 years 11 months were included in the study. INTERVENTION: Parents completed a questionnaire recording demographic information and personal and family history of skin problems and related diseases. A dermatologist performed a total skin examination, including the diaper area for children younger than 12 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The age- and sex-specific prevalence rates and site and severity of seborrheic dermatitis and pityriasis capitis were measured. RESULTS: The overall age- and sex-adjusted prevalence of seborrheic dermatitis was 10.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 8.2%-11.7%): 10.4% (95% CI, 7.8%-12.9%) in boys and 9.5% (95% CI, 7.0%-12.0%) in girls. This was highest in the first 3 months of life, decreasing rapidly by the age of 1 year, after which it slowly decreased over the next 4 years. Most (71.9%) had disease classified as minimal to mild. Pityriasis capitis occurred in 41.7% (95% CI, 38.8%-44.6%) of the 1,116 children examined, with 85.8% categorized as minimal to mild only. CONCLUSIONS: Seborrheic dermatitis and pityriasis capitis are common in early childhood. Most children have minimal to mild disease that would require little if any treatment. Education programs directed at those caring for preschool-aged children are needed to provide information on simple preventative measures and treatment, if necessary, that could easily reduce the morbidity associated with these very common conditions.